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In pursuant of its strategic objectives and core values, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE) has finalized arrangements in collaboration with other Diaspora sister’s organizations to commence the pre-enrolment of Nigerians in Europe /Diaspora in the National Identity Database.

The pre-enrolment is to ensure that all Diaspora Nigerians are well documented in the National Identity Management System of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has the mandate to carry out the enrolment of citizens and legal residents as provided for in the Act establishing it, create and operate a National Identity Database, issue unique National Identification Numbers to qualified citizens and legal residents.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr Mohammed Babandede, announced in August 2017 that from 1 January 2018, anybody without a National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the NIMC would not be able to procure Nigerian passport. The condition applies to both first-time applicants and those renewing their expired passport.

Even though the regulation has not yet been universally applied in Nigerian missions abroad, it will soon come into effect, according to reliable sources in official circles.

This is why it’s important for every Nigerian, both home and abroad, to procure their NIN!

The pre-enrolment that will be facilitated by NIDOE is to ensure that Nigerians in Diaspora do not repeat the frustrating experience of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration, where some Nigerians had to travel to Nigeria or outside their base to beat the BVN registration deadline in order not to lose their deposits in Nigerian banks.

Generally, the pre-enrolment exercise will enable the NIMC to register all Nigerians outside the shores of the country as is the standard practice in many countries, providing the much-needed data for Diaspora voting, economic data for developmental planning and pooling the huge Diaspora human resources.

To achieve this objective, NIDOE is partnering with NIMC ‘s approved specialists in information management services and database management to facilitate NIMC Diaspora population data capture. Data obtained through the pre-enrolment exercise are EU privacy laws and GDPR compliant.

This partnership further portrays the commitment of NASS and the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensuring that the data of all Nigerians, irrespective of country of residence does not filter beyond Nigeria and Nigerian authorities.

In the meantime, NIDOE in collaboration with other Diaspora sister’s organizations, BEN TV, London and other Diaspora media houses will commence a road show across Europe and Diaspora to sensitize and mobilize the Nigerian community in Europe/Diaspora to take advantage of the Diaspora pre-enrolment to avail them the opportunity of getting a National Identity Number (NIN). The pilot pre-enrolment will be flagged off during the Diaspora Global Development Conference in London, UK from 26 -28 July 2018 by Hon. Rita Orji, the Chairperson, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs. Venue is the CEME Conference Centre, Marsh Way, Rainham, Essex RM13 8EU.

In its quest to foster and promote Diaspora participation in the Nigeria project, NIDO is recognized by the Federal Government as a rallying ground for all Nigerians in the Diaspora, promoting their interests through advocacy and networking.

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE RECENT BAIL GRANTED TO FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, COL. SAMBO DASUKI BY A FEDERAL HIGH COURT SITTING IN ABUJA ON MONDAY, JULY 2, 2018
BY: DR. KAYODE AJULO

In his Oath of Office, taken on May 29, 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari said, “The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution.”

Three years down the line, this solemn vow seems to have been kept in the breach as the Presidency, the Federal Executive in Nigeria has obviously disregarded and discountenanced with impunity any ruling or judgment of court which appears not to suit its purpose.

In a country where the Rule of Law is highly esteemed or given any regard at all, adherence to court rulings should not be about an individual’s feelings, whims and caprices, rather deference and absolute obedience to one of the fulcrums of our democracy and maintenance of the sanctity of the courts should be the order of the day.

It is in this regard that I hope that the President Muhammadu Buhari led Executive of the Federal Government of Nigeria will give regard to, comply with and without fail, obey the latest court order/ruling delivered by Hon. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on the bail of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki and other court rulings, orders and judgments seeking compliance by the Executive of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

I must emphatically point out that the failure of the Executive of Federal Government to allow Col. Dasuki enjoy bail which has been granted to him severally (six now in total) is a danger to our nascent democracy and those of us who are ministers in the temple of justice ought to cry out before we are buried in the sands of impunity.

Take note that if Dasuki who is part of the few power elite could be treated with such impunity, then there is no such guarantee that other Nigerians/clients who are granted reprieve by the courts to the dissatisfaction of the government will be allowed their liberty as granted by the courts.

Therefore, if the Executive of the Federal Government of Nigeria fails to honour the bail order by Justice Ojukwu within Seven (7) Days of fulfilment of the bail Condition as stipulated by the court, I appeal to the Nigeria Bar Association to boycott the courts and urge the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to resign his position in the circumstance.

But let me also put on record without equivocation that should the NBA fail to see this threat to democracy and heed my appeal, I will proceed to boycott the courts and galvanize like minds in this regard to show that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic where the Government can pick and choose which Court order to obey or disobey.

The efficacy of court rulings is in their applications by all parties irrespective of how they feel about such orders. The Executive of the Federal Government of Nigeria cannot be allowed to cherry pick which judgment to obey.

It is an irony that the Executive recently finds it expedient to obey the Judgment of the Supreme Court on the Nigerian Football Federation after a long hesitation but not on Dasuki.

We should all know that if the Executive is allowed to decide which orders it will obey, it will totally endanger the authority of the judiciary as an arm of Government which can put the Executive in check and it offers little or no hope to citizens that their fundamental human rights can be guaranteed.

Mr. Emmanuel Macron, the French President, has urged youths in Nigeria to get involved with politics in order to change the narratives and to be elected into public offices.

The President, who was accompanied by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, to Fela’s Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, on Tuesday night gave the words at an event tagged “Celebrate African Culture” few hours after leaving and meeting Nigeria’s President Buhari in Abuja.

“Africa needs a new generation of Africans to share the new narrative about Africa all over the world,” – “I am very happy to be here. Let me remind you that this place — shrine is a music place as well as politics which is needed to change the society. So, I will say to the youths, politics is important, be involved,” he said.

Speaking on of his first visit in 2012, described Afrika Shrine as an iconic place for the promotion of African arts, cultures and musics.

“I discovered Nigeria and a lot of my friends are here. I discovered Nigeria and I discovered Lagos and I discovered the shrine. This place is an iconic place and it is a place where the best of music are given. “Fela was not just a musician. He was a politician who wanted to change society. So if I have one message for young people, it’s this: ‘Yes, politics is important; yes, be involved,” Macron said.

“I have to say my main memories about this place are friends, proud people, proud of their culture, proud of their art and music. I have a very different view of Africa than a lot of other people in Europe because I was in the Gambia.” Said Mr. Macron

Macron added the reason why some people persisted on having diverse views on the continent, : “I am not so sure the image of Africa is always negative. Some people say this is a tremendous continent with young people and lots of opportunities and so on and at the same time a lot of people say Africa is a place of terrorism and needs to liberate itself. The two assumptions are true at the same time because Africa is just more than that. It is a young continent, what we need is African people speaking about Africa. We need a new narrative, we need you people to change this narrative, what we need is young generation of artistes, entrepreneurs, civil societies, journalists and intellectuals coming from Africa and speaking about Africa in your own narrative everywhere.”

According to him, politics is important because it is a tool to change the society. He advised the youths on the tasks of making Africa great lies on them.

The President shared and announced the launch of African cultures season in France by the year 2020.

The host govvernor, HE Ambode of Lagos who thanks the president and said the visit will signal the a new collaboration between Lagos State and France in their quest to make the state the capital of Africa in term of culture and entertainment.

The Ogun State Government, France based In-Vivo Foundation and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, have signed a Letter of Intent, officialising the kick off of the “Ile Dotun” project implementation.

Aimed towards land revival, it is expected to restore the 108,000 hectares of degraded lands, belonging to the forest and game reserves of Imeko and Aworo in Ogun State.

The signing of the Letter of Intent, at the State House, Abuja, was part of highlights of the state visit of Mr. Emmanuel Macron, president of France, to Nigeria, yesterday.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on behalf of the state, signed the letter for the partnership, the first structured initiative in Nigeria, towards concretising its engagement to achieve the Land Degradation Neutrality as an integral part of its Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 and in compliance with its engagement, contracted under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

It is the first site among 13 identified as priorities to convert degraded lands into havens for nature, while producing food in a sustainable manner and creating attractive jobs and green economic growth.

Under the project, land will be allocated to restore natural forest ecosystems in order to protect water catchments and establish biological corridors as well as secured grazing areas for transhumant shepherds alongside all rivers.

Land will also be allocated to local communities, comprising 3000 small farms that will receive assistance for long-term land lease as well as financial and technical support to establish climate smart intensive agriculture and agroforestry systems, from the state government.

Private farmers groups and enterprises, seeking means to develop agroforestry and forestry activities, are also to benefit.

It is expected that more partnerships will follow in the coming months, to secure the financial and technical inputs, needed for the successful implementation of Ile Dotun, as a new agricultural development paradigm.

French entities are said to be involved in the project, while more are expected to join this important innovative initiative, paving the way to reconcile production, job creation and nature restoration.

National Challenges and Opportunities: Government Should Do More – Ali Soyode.

…Pray for States and Victims affected by Crises.

A leading Presidential Aspirant in the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria, Mr. AIi Soyode, has called on the three Tiers of government to increase the level of security required for peaceful coexistence among its Citizens, emphasising that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and properties as enshrined in the constitution and on moral, cultural and religious grounds.

Ali Soyode who was reacting to recent developments in the country said more than 2000 people lost their lives over preventable conflict and issues such as communal crises, herdsmen/farmer’s clashes, gas explosion, lack of heath care facilities among other things.

Emphasising that economic loses from such impacts on any nation will affect her growth, earnings and investment drives.

While commenting on the recent killings in Plateau State, where hundreds were left dead, the aspirant, Mr. Soyode said the delay in creating immediate response by leaders is reducing the hope and security expected by the people.

Mr Soyode added that local people need their hope built positively and subsequently want the criminals responsible for the killings arrested and brought to book in a competent court of law.

Last month, armed bandits suspected to be herdsmen attacked the villages of Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp in Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, with about 86 people killed and various figures across other states been killed.

The states and federal government came under severe attack for not combating what has now become a major national problem..

Pointing to the economic losses that accrue from such deaths, Mr Soyode said more should be done by state and federal governments to bring back wholly the rule of law and ensure its full compliance as failure to do so would lead to more hardship for the ordinary citizens of Nigeria.

Mr Soyode, the former CEO of the largest black Television station in Europe BEN Television and the Commandant General of International Mentoring Corp, who joined Nigeria’s presidential race few months ago said: “All these can be avoided and curtailed if the people feels the leadership is there for them. It is unfortunate and saddening to read, watch or listen to news daily about the challenges and crises as there is always an opportunity to give peace a chance.

“Peace helps communities to build their economy, have better things of life, enjoy the structures provided by governments and make the compliance with the rule of law easier. We do not need the sad news daily facing us when we can all collectively do better to help build a nation which has all the necessary resources to be great.”

However, Mr Soyode commended the Nigeria armed forces for working with the resources available to them especially those in the frontline, noting that as more resources and welfare are provided, they should become more motivated and inspired to do more for the nation.

He added that there is the need to consider the state security option as several governors have complained of the lack of power to secure their domains.

“Let me appeal to the members of National Assembly, federal government and the leaders to see to the urgent need to protect all Nigerians. I am appealing to them to see to it that security is very pivotal and I believe this can be done within a period of three months because Nigerians need peace and peace brings in the capacity required for growth in business and investments.

He therefore used the medium to urgently call and invite all political office aspirants to a summit where the issue for peace, the values of electorate consideration and the importance of each candidate, their followers and parties to walk the path of keeping our nation united will be discussed and tabled with a resolution agreed at the end of it. This initiative of pledging to peace is on the back of his 2015, I Pledge Peace campaign in Nigeria.

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